St. Landry democrat., 1887-10-08
AMONG CHURCHES,
EVENTS OF INTEREST OCCURRING
IN TIE RELIGIOUS WORLD.

EVENTS OF INTEREST OCCURRING
IN TIE RELIGIOUS WORLD.
Practical Charity Shown in Sermon of
Canon Farrar-Hnw a Hospital Was
Helped Missionaries in Ucandi-Initine
Different Beliefs--Events and Opinions
Canon Farrar in a sermon preached
not long ago for the hospital cause in
London, said: "Thcrc are scores of men
in London who could save our hospitals
from anxiety almost without feeling it.
Look at the very recent art Sal"S-SlO,-
coo for one dessert service, $4,000 for
two flower pots, $4,000 for chimney
ornament, $4,000 for two rose-colored
vases, 81 500 for single ladv's dress,
S. 600 for the flowers of a single ball.
do not criticisc this expenditure. only
say that if there be in London such a
Pactolus of wealth for these gcw-gaws
of silk and clay, can there be By compar-
ison only a drop or two to heal the
bodies, to ameliOratc the souls Of MN :?
Why should the runnel Of charity dribble
on as it does, while the full tide of luxury
is still at t1ood?"
In this connection the following is
suggestive. Some years ago a clergy
man in a growing city saw the necessity
of building hospital to meet the abSo-
lutte demands Of the helpless poor in the
town. He had secured something near
a starting point, but he had exhausted
every means in his power. Finally, in
despair, he approached one Of his par
ishiOners whom he believed to he very
wealthy, and WHO had already given not
ungeaerously. He said Il am just on
the verge of success, but | dare not risk
a beginning. This thing is absolutely
needed. Won't you help me to 90 on"
The parishioner expressed great sympa-
thy, but stated that the limit Of his ability
had been already passed, that his wealth
was greatly exaggerated, etc. SO the
enterprise was delayed for more
than year In the meantime
however, the parishoner went to a
great international exposition. The
clergyman learned that the poor parish
Toner who had exceeded his ability in
giving few hundreds to the cause Of
Christian charity had brought with him
from the exposition magnificent vase of
bronze, for which he had been able to
spare some five thousand dollars. Cast
ing all discretion to the wind, he there
upon wrote note to his parishioner
which it is sufficient to say was thor
oughly wholesome. The reply he re-
ceived was substantially this: NO,
am not offended with you. On the con-
trary, am indebted TO you, for you are
entirely right. Enclosed is my check for
St" That hospital never wanted a
friend as long as that parishioner lived,
nor did the rector. The moral is obvious.
IN UGANDA.
The latest news from the church mis-
sion in Ugahdi is under date of March
IS. Mr.. Mackay, the sole representative
of the mission in that savage kingdom,
is still alive and we'll, though in great
danger He says he has not the least
doubt that, to a very great extent, he
owes his preservation to the believing
prayers of Christian friends in England
and elsewhere. Very recently the King
gave out on more than one occasion that
he meant to have another grand massacre
of the Christians. But the prayers of
Gods people restrained him from his
purpose, and that, too, by a marvellous in
tervcntiOn. His mother heard Of his pur-
pose and to advise him not to kill his
best friends in the country. The two
biggest chiefs ventured to demonstrate
with him. and recommended him to let
alone the Christians, who had been guilty
of no crime. One lad has been secretly
murdered and several others had to
flee for their lives, eXecutioners hav-
ing been sent for their arrest But
the converts are now more on the
alert and are ready to flee on the first
suspicion. Referring to Emin Bey's
proposal of a British protectorate over
the equatorial provinces of the Soudan,
Mr.. Mackay thinks now is the happy mo-
ment for England to redeem the pledge
she gave on the fall of Gordon, that she
would rescue the garrisOns in Soudan.
Great would be the gain, he thinks, for
Christianity and civilization. This
province, now the grand centre of East
African slavery, would, if wisely and
Justly governed soon become the centre
of peace and liberty to half an i'm
mense continent 1t would be a
friendly quarter to which the prosecuted
could flee, and thereby fayorabiy react
upon such tyrants as ours, compelling
them to grant greater liberation. to their
subjects, lest they should lose the half
of them. Great issues for the future of
Central Africa depend on the question
whether or not the British government
Shall deal wisely in this matter. At
present, | am aware, there is an outcry
to abandon this region to the full swing
of lawlessness and cruelty, but God grant
there may soon be reaction in public
feeling at home and that England may
once more take her wonted place as the
friend of the helpless and the oppressed. "
REFORMED CHURCHES.
According to the minutes of the Gen
eral SYNOD the accessions to the Reformed
churches last year by confession were
1924, and on certificate 1869, making
total of S,193. The churches contributed